A stammer activist from Kirkham has been nominated for the National Diversity Awards.

Jack Dinsley is up for the Positive Role Model category thanks to his Be Kind Stammer Campaign.

The Awards honour role models, entrepreneurs and community organisations promoting equality and diversity.

Jack, who has had a stammer since the age of five, has overcome his own battles and is now using his experience to help others.

Jack said: “I struggled throughout school, especially after a teacher told my mum that I wouldn’t succeed due to my stammer.

“Teachers and students alike treated me differently, but I used their negativity and decided to do something about it.”

Read more: Living with a stammer: Why I won’t be silenced this International Stammering Awareness Day

After being made Head Boy at college, Jack realised he had a passion for public speaking.

Around this time, Jack was finally able to access speech and language therapy after being rejected when he was younger. He passed his A Levels and went on to study Journalism at UCLan.

“This is where I decided to use my passion for the media and stammering awareness to my advantage.

“I pitched stammer awareness to BBC Newsround and BBC Radio 1, and both were really interested. I was the face of both appearances, which
was just so surreal for me. Talking to the nation about my stammer journey was incredible.”

Jack has since appeared on BBC Lancashire several times and BBC Newsbeat to discuss the subject.

After an appearance in The Happy Newspaper, one of Jack’s primary teachers got in touch, leading him to create the Be Kind Stammer Campaign to deliver in schools.

Jack has since presented to over 600 students and teachers, both in person prior to the pandemic, and virtually since. He has also worked with colleges and universities, and says he is keen to inspire the next generation of speech and language therapists.

Read more: Stammer awareness campaign launched in Kirkham is going national

Most recently Jack joined the international panel for Friends Who Stutter, the association for young people who stammer in the USA.

Representing the UK, Jack discussed bringing stammering awareness into the education system with panellists from Italy, South Africa, China, Brazil and India.

Jack, who is currently studying for an MA in TV Production, said: “We need to openly talk about stammering and then students and staff have a better understanding. Why not include it in a lesson of PSHE? An hour of awareness can really change the mindset of many.”

For now Jack continues to be on a mission to inspire as many people as possible.

“Being nominated for this award is truly fantastic. When I started my work in the stammering community to raise awareness and support as many people as possible, I never did it for the recognition.

“But having a stammer hasn’t stopped me and it shouldn’t stop anyone else. I’m proof that dreams can come true.”

To vote for Jack, visit the National Diversity Awards website.

Proud Preston. This, and many stories like it, show how the people of Preston are making a difference. Our Proud Preston section showcases all the charitable, kind, uplifting and great things about our city and the people who live here. #ProudPreston is alive and well, and there’s much to celebrate and be proud of, despite the challenging times we all face.

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What do you think of Jack’s achievements and his nomination for the award? Let us know in the comments.